Knitting-machine



No. 613,346. Patented Nov. I, I898.

F. B. WILDMAN.

KNITTING MACHlNE.

(Application filed July 8, 1897Av (No Model.) 5 Sheeis8he'et l.

Witnesses. Inventor.

Attorney.

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No. 68,346. Patented NOV. l, I898.

F. B. WILDMAN.

KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 8, 1897.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Inventor.

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Attorney.

Witnesses.

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no. 6I3,346. Patented Nov I, I898.

F. B. WILDMAN.

KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 8, 1597.)

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Witnesses.

Inventor.

Attorney.

No. 6I3,-346. Patented Nov. I, I898.

' F. B. WILDMAN.

KNITTING MACHINE. (Application filed July a,=1a97. (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Shea! 4.

Witnesses. fiAjAJ Inventor.

Attorney.

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No. 6l3,346. Patented Nov. I, I898. F. B. WILDMAN.

KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 8, 1897.)

5 8heets-Sheet 5.

KN!) Model.)

Inventor.

Attorney- UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

FRANK B. WILDMAN, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE MOMICHAEL & WILDMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

OF PENNSYLVANIA.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 613,346, dated November 1, 1898.

Application filed July 8, 1897. Serial No. 643,803. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. WILDMAN, of Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Knitting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to knitting-machines; and it consists of the improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In automatic knitting-machines variations in the pattern are produced by the operation of needle-controlling cams through pattern mechanism, which has heretofore usually embraced a pattern-chain containing lugs or proj ections which actuate cam-operating devices.

A portion of my invention relates to the employment of a pattern wheel or disk in lieu of the ordinary pattern-chain, to which an interrupted motion is imparted,'whereby the pattern wheel or disk may be permitted to remain in a state of rest while no change is to be made in the pattern of the fabric being knitted, thus permitting a small patternwheel to be used in lieu of a long patternchain.

It is also an object of my invention to enable the pattern-controlling lugs or projections to be easily changed or altered-to produce any desired changes in the pattern, and this I accomplish by the use of detachable blocks or segments upon the pattern-Wheel.

My invention also relates to mechanism for operating a pattern chain or wheel with an interrupted motion, so that the chain or wheel may remain at rest when no changes are to be made in the pattern to be produced in the fabric.

My invention also embraces mechanism controlled by the movement of the knitted. fabric for operating the devices for controlling the actuation of the pattern chain or wheel, so that the operation thereof is automatically controlled by the fabric itself.

Another part of my invention relates to the employment of devices for enabling the pattern chain or wheel and the mechanism for operating and controlling it to be instantly brought to any determined point, as the point of commencement, thus enabling the parts to be brought at any time into position to commence the making of the pattern.

My invention further relates to the employment'of a removable protecting casing or covering for the mechanism for operating and controlling the pattern chain or wheel, to-

mechanism for operating the said patternchain operating and controlling devices by the movement of the knitted cloth, and to many novel constructions and combinations of parts, which are hereinafter fully described and claimed. I

I shall now refer to the accompanying draw ings for the purpose of more particularly describing my invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a knittingmachine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the left-hand side of Fig. 1, with parts in section and broken away. Fig. 3 is a face view of the pattern-wheel and lever. Fig. l is a horizontal sectional view of the machine on the line a a; of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a front view of the inclosing casing of the pattern-Wheel-operating devices. Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the pattern-wheel-operating devices as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line y y of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 7, illustrating a modification of the pattern-wheel-operating devices; and Fig. 9 is a front elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

A is the framework of the machine.

B is the knitting-head, which may be of any convenient construction. For purposes of illustration I have shown an automatic ribknitting head of the character shown and described in Letters Patent of McMichael and Wildman, No. 500,151, dated June 27, 1893, in which the movable cams are operated through levers a b, actuated by disks S N on a shaft .9, which is raised and lowered by a lever S controlled by the pattern-chain. The raising or lowering of the shaft 5 changes the positions of the parts S N, so as to make them actuate the levers a b, as is fully described in the said Letters Patent, to which reference may be had for greater particularity.

lVhile I have shown my improvements in the pattern mechanism applied to the diskcarrying shaft 8 of the said Letters Patent No. 500,151, it is to be understood that they may be applied to any form of automatic mechanism for actuating the cams without in any way departing from my invention.

C is a take-up for taking up the cloth as it is knitted in the head B, and may be of any suitable construction. I have shown the takeup operated through a belt 0 from the driving-shaft c.

I shall now particularly describe my improvements in the pattern devices.

D is a pattern-wheel mounted on a shaft 61 in hearings on the frame A below the baseplate A. This pattern-wheel consists of a disk having its periphery provided with projections (1, similar to those used on the ordinary pattern -chain. I prefer to construct the pattern-wheel of a disk, to the outer edge of which the segments or blocks d,which form the operative projections, are attached, as shown in Fig. By making these segments or blocks detachable they may be easily removed and replaced by others to change the character of the pattern-wheel.

E and F are two disks, (shown as ratchetwheels,) of which the former is the patternwheel operating the disk or ratchet and the latter is the disk or ratchet for controlling the pattern-wheel-operating disk or ratchet E.

Suitable devices are employed for imparting motion to the disks E and F and also for moving the latter independently of the disk E.

The following is my preferred construction of apparatus for operating the disks E and F and driving the pattern-wheel D: The disk E is carried by the shaft (1 and is provided with ratchet-teeth. The disk F, which is of slightly-smaller diameter than the disk E, is loosely journaled on the shaft (1 adjacent to the ratchet E, and is also provided with ratchet-teeth.

II is a pawl adapted to engage the teeth of both the ratchets E and F. It is pivoted to a slide II' in guides h on the frame A below the base-plate A. The slide H may be reciprocated in any convenient manner. For this purpose I have shown a horizontal lever 11*, pivoted, as at 7L2, below the base-plate A, and acting at one end upon the end of the slide II and at its other end II upon an annular cam 11*, carried by the rotary base-plate B of the knitting-head. A spring H between the slide II and the framework returns the slide and maintains the end of the lever II in contact with the cam II.

The ratchets E and F are so constructed and operated that the ratchet E will move faster than the ratchet F. As shown, the ratchet E is provided with alternate deep and shallow teeth 0 e so disposed with reference to the teeth of the ratchet F that when the pawl H engages a deep tooth c it will also engage a tooth of the ratchet F and will move both ratchets,.but when it engages a shallow tooth c it will not engage the tooth of the ratchet F, and consequently will move the ratchet E only. The pawl I'I therefore in the construction shown moves the ratchet E twice as fast as it moves the ratchet F.

G is a gear-wheel carried by the ratchet F, so as to rotate therewith. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 7 I have shown the gear-wheel G journaled on the shaft (1 between the fast ratchet E and the loose ratchet F, to the latter of which it is secured, while in the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 it is connected with the ratchet F by frictionplates G.

I is a shaft journaled transverselyin bearings in the frame A below the knitting-head and above the take-up.

I is a wheel provided with pins or teeth carried by the shaft I and adapted to make contact with the cloth. as it passes from the knitting-head to the take-up. (See dotted lines in Fig. 2.)

1 is a pinion on the shaft I, engaging the gear-wheel G, which is loose on the shaft (Z. As the cloth is knitted and is drawn down by the take-up it will rotate the wheel I and shaft I, from which, through the pinion I and gear-wheel G, the ratchet F will be rotated on the shaft d.

J are a series of segments or blocks,of which one or more may be used, attached to the ratchet F adjacent to the edge, so that their outer faces will be level with the teeth. The pawl H is sufficiently broad that it will make contact with the faces of the segments J, thus preventing it from engaging the teeth of the ratchet F, and consequently while that portion of the ratchet F which is provided with the segments J is under the pawl II it will not be operated thereby.

K is an adjustable segment similar to the segments J, except that it is secured to the ratchet F with provision for circumferential adjustment.

I have shown the segment K secured to the ratchet F by a set-screw 7t, passing through a curved slot in the segment and engaging a threaded socket 79in the face of the ratchet. I have also shown the segment K provided with a flange Z, engaging an annular groove Z in the face of the ratchet.

The segment K may overlap the segment J, as shown in Fig. 6, and to permit this I have shown the ratchet cut away adjacent to its periphery to form an annular offset for the segments J, while the segment K is secured to the face of the ratchet below the offset, and thus extends over the segments J. The segments J may be detachably secured to the ratchet by set-screws j, engaging threaded sockets j in the ratchet.

By adjusting the segment K it may be made to overlap the last of the segments J to a greater or less extent.

K is a segment similar to the segment K and is adapted to be adjusted in posit-ion more or less distant from the segments J and K, as the pattern may require. The ratchet E is provided at one or more points with places where the short ratchet-teeth are cut away, as at e 6, Fig. 6, so as to present short spaces devoid of shallow teeth, and these spaces 6 e are notched, as at a I shall now explain the operation of the pattern mechanism so far as the same has been described.

Supposing the parts at starting to be in the positions shownin Fig. 6,with the pawlH resting on the surface of the segment K and upon the flat portion 6 of the ratchet E above the notch e therein, the reciprocation of the pawl will produce no movement in either ratchet F or E, and, not driving the ratchet E, will not rotate the shaft 01 and pattern-wheel D. The pattern-wheel D will therefore remain at rest, with the lever S shaft .9, and disks S N in such positions as may be determined by the portion of the pattern-Wheel which is acting on the lever 8. As the cloth is knitted and travels down it acts on the cardwheel I and rotates the shaft I and through the pinions I and gear-Wheel Gr drives the ratchet F. When the segment K passes from under the pawl H, it permits it to drop into engagement with both the notch e of the ratchet E and the teeth of the ratchet F. The pawl H thus continues to rotate both the ratchets E and F, moving the former with every reciprocation and the latter with alternate reciprocations, and turns the patternwheel until the segment K on the ratchet F passes under the pawl and holds it out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet F, but without disengaging it from the ratchet E, which it continues to rotate, together with the pattern-wheel D, until the part 6 comes adjacent to the segment K. The pawl now ceases to drive the ratchet E and pattern-wheel D until the segment K, which has been moving slowly with the ratchet F under the action of the wheel 1, passes from under the pawl and allows it to drop into engagement with the notch e and the teeth of the ratchet E, when it will continue to rotate both ratchets until the first of the segments J passes under it. The segments J now lift the pawl from engagement with ratchet F. Meanwhile the ratchet E and pattern-wheel are driven by the pawl H until the portion 6 of the ratchet E is reached, when the rotation of the ratchet E and the pattern-wheel D ceases and the ratchet F rotates slowly under the action of the wheel 1 until the segments J and K pass from under the pawl H and allow it to drop into engagement with the notch c. The operations described are then repeated.

It will be observed that the segments J, K, and K act to hold the pawl H out of engagement with the ratchets E and F, thus causing the pattern wheel and needle controlling cams operated thereby to remain at rest for an interval of time while the segments are moved by the wheel I and the cloth. This interval therefore depends upon the length of the segments. In the machine shown in the drawings each segment is of a lengthsufficient to permit the making of three inchesof cloth, and by increasing or decreasing the number of segments or adjusting the adjustable segments K K the length of cloth made before any change takes place in the pattern mechanism may be varied.

A great advantage of my pattern mechanism is that the intermittent operation of the pattern-wheel, which permits the wheel to remain at rest while a length of cloth is being knitted, enables a comparatively small wheel to be used instead of a long pattern-chain such as is now usually employed.

Another great advantage of my patternwheel is that it permits very nice adjustments or changes to be made. With an ordinary pattern-chain such as is now commonly used to change the pattern produced by the chain requires the changing of a link. Not only is this a difficult operation, but as the minimum size of the links is restricted a smaller change cannot be made than is permitted by the minimum size of the links. With the ordinary pattern-chains the minimum change that may be made is about one-half of an inch. With my pattern-wheel by adjusting the segment K so that it will overlap the segment J to a greater or less extent a very small change is possible.

It is to be understood that the particular arrangement of the segments J, K, and K is not essential to my invention and that they may be variously disposed to suit the pattern to be produced. In the construction shown the segments and pattern-wheel are so arranged that the needles will first knit one or more plain courses, will then form a rib, and while the segment K is passing will form a series of plain courses, and finally while the segments J are passing will make a long series of tuck courses. This arrangement is for a knitted sleeve and cuff, but for other patterns the parts J K K may be differently arranged to control the pattern-wheel in any way that may be desired, as to make tucks, loose courses, &c. 7

The segment K may be omitted when the pattern does not require it, and the segment K may also be omitted when provision for minute adjustment is not necessary.

To insure a uniform operation of the wheel I by the cloth, I employ a guide L, extending transversely adjacent to the periphery of the wheel I, so that the cloth as it passes to the take-up C will be pressed forward toward the toothed periphery of the wheel I, as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The guide L preferably consists of a roller having a roughened periphery, carried on a shaft L, supported by the main frame. The guideroller L serves a special purpose with the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 in maintaining a uniform and extended contact of the cloth with the wheel I", and thus impos ing a frictional resistance upon the wheel I and preventing it from rotating rapidly under the direct action of the ratchet F when the latter is driven by its pawl. It thus serves to maintain a uniform movement in the wheel 1 whether the ratchet is moving slowly under the action of wheel I when the pawl of the ratchet is not operating it or the ratchet is driven rapidly independently of the wheel I when the pawl is driving it. It also prevents the disengagement of the cloth from the wheel I when the cloth is pulled outward by the hand of the operator for examination, which would interrupt the operation of the wheel I and the ratchet F, (when its pawl was not operating it,) and thus change the length of the pattern.

To prevent possible injury to the hands of the operator from contact with the sharp teeth or points of the wheel I, as well as to prevent injury to the teeth, which would afiect the operation of the wheel I and consequently of the pattern-controlling ratchet F, I employ a guard 1 extending over the periphery of the wheel I. I have shown the guide extending only over the upper portion of the wheel, as that is the point where there is the greatest danger of contact; but the guard may of course be further extended, if desired, even to the extent of inclosing the card-wheel, except at the point of contact with the cloth. I have shown the guard carried by a bracket I on the shaft I; but it may be otherwise supported.

In the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9 instead of having the gear-wheel G fast to the loose ratchet F, I have shown it connected therewith by frictional contact. In the form er case not only is the ratchet F driven by the gear-wheel G through the action of the cloth, but it also drives the gear-wheel when the ratchet F is operated by the pawl II. This is avoided in the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which the gear G is connected with the ratchet F by friction-plates G, hearing 011 the face of the gear and fastened to the body of the ratchet by bolts G The friction of the plates G is sufficient to drive the ratchet F when the gear is driven from the pinion 1 but not sufiicient to overcome the resistance to the movement of the gear G when the ratchet F is driven by the pawl H, and consequently the gear G and toothed wheel I are not operated by the ratchet F, but are operated only by the action of the cloth.

The frictional contact of the plates G may be regulated byadjusting the bolts G through the threaded nuts G. G are stop-screws for maintaining the nuts G in adjusted position and preventing them from working loose.

It is desirable that the pattern mechanism should be so constructed that it may at any moment he turned back to the starting-point of the pattern, so that in case of a defect in the material it will not be necessary to complete the pattern, but the mechanism may be immediately brought into position to start the pattern anew. I shall now describe the mechanism which I employ for this purpose, the same being more particularly shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 5.

M is a handle or indicator mounted on the end of the shaft d, by means of which the shaft and pattern-wheel may be turned.

N is a lever pivoted above the shaft (1 and provided with a projection 71, adapted, when the lever is depressed, to act as a stop to the handle M when the same is turned into its highest position. The pattern-wheel D and ratchet E are so located with reference to the handle M that they will be at the startingpoint of the pattern when the handle is turned into the upright position, as shown in Fig. 5.

O is a push-pin extending through the casing P, which incloses the ratchet mechanism, and is connected with the free end of the lever N. A spring 0 normally holds the parts raised. By depressing the push-pin O the stop n will be brought in position to arrest the indicator-handle M, and thus stop the pattern-wheel D and ratchet E at the startingpoint.

The stop 11. is shown projecting through a slot 19 in the casing P.

To provide for the adjustment of the ratchet F, I have shown its hub F extended and provided with a knurled handle Q, by means of which the ratchet may be turned on the shaft d. A stop 7" is carried by the segment K and is adapted to strike a projection or lug n on the lever N when the same is lowered. The ratchet F is turned on the shaft d until the stop 1' strikes the lug n, and the ratchet is then at the starting-point of the pattern.

It is highly desirable that the ratchet mechanism should be protected and kept clean, and for this purpose I employ the inclosing casing P, which covers the top, front, and sides and is detachably supported at the bottom, as by posts R, to which it may be detachably fastened by set-screws. The casing P is slotted, as at t, to admit the shaft d and hub F, so as to bring the handles M and Q on the outside. The ratchet mechanism is protected at the back by the frame A. The ratchet mechanism is thus covered and protected and the casing I may be easily and quickly removed at any time to permit the mechanism to be inspected, adjusted, or repaired.

To maintain a regular and uniform operation of the ratchet F from the shaft, I may employa friction block or finger V, carried by the frame A and pressed in contact with the surface of the pinion I by a spring. This would not, however, be used in the construction shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

While the pattern-wheel consisting of a disk provided upon its periphery with the pattern projections or blocks as a substitute for the ordinary pattern-chain is an important part of my invention and is hereinafter claimed, it is to be understood that, so far as my invention relates to the devices for rotating the pattern-wheel and controlling the same, the ordinary pattern chain may be used, if desired, without departing from my invention.

The details of construction shown may be varied without in any way departing from the invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a knitting-machine, the combination with the needle-cylinder, and its needles, of cams for controlling the operation of the needles, mechanism for operating said cams, pattern devices for controlling said mechanism for operating the cams, a rotary disk, driving devices therefor, means carried by the disk for holding the driving devices out of action, embracing an adjustable piece or section by the adjustment of which, relatively to the other portion thereof, the extent of the operative face of said means to hold the driving devices out of action may be varied, whereby the action of the pattern mechanism and the operation of the cams and knitting-needles controlled thereby may be regulated and controlled.

2. In a knitting-machine, the combination with the. needle-cylinder, and its needles, of cams for controlling the operation of the needles, mechanism for operating said cams, pattern devices for controlling said mechanism for operating the earns, a rotary disk, driving devices therefor, means carried by the disk for holding the driving devices out of action, embracing an adjustable piece or section by the adjustment of which, relatively to the other portion thereof, the extent of the operative face of said means to hold the driving devices out of action may be varied, and means controlled by the knitted fabric for operating said disk, whereby the action of the pattern mechanism and the operation of the cams and knitting-needles controlled thereby.

may be regulated and controlled.

3. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knittingmachines, the devices for controlling the operation of the pattern wheel or chain, comprising a rotary disk provided with segment J and a segment K adjacent thereto and adjustable with relation thereto, in combination with the segment K independent of the segments J and K, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4:. In a pattern mechanism for knittingmachines, devices for controlling the operation of a pattern wheelor chain, comprising a rotating pattern wheel or chain operating disk, driving devices for operating it, a second rotary disk independent of said pattern wheel or chain operating disk, adjustable devices carried by said second rotary disk for throwing the driving devices for operating the pattern wheel or chain operating disk out of action for a greater or less period of time, and means for independently rotating said second disk to restore to action the devices for operating the pattern wheel or chain operating disk,

5. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination with a pattern chain or wheel and means for operating it, of devices independent of the pattern chain or wheel for intermittently throwin g the means for operating the pattern chain or wheel out of action, and maintaining said means out of action for a greater or less period of time, and mechanism controlled by the knitted fabric for operating said devices for intermittently throwing the means for operating the pattern chain or wheel out of action to permit the reengagement of said means, whereby the movement of the pattern chain or wheel is automatically interrupted and the period of interruption is controlled by means independent of the pattern chain or wheel.

6. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination with a pattern chain or wheel and means for operating it, of a take-up for the knitted fabric, devices independent of the pattern chain or wheel for intermittently throwing the means for operating the pattern chain or wheel out of action and maintaining said means out of action for a greater or less period of time, a wheel 1 arranged to be actuated by the knitted fabric as it passes to the take-up, and power-transmitting connections between the wheel I and the devices for intermittently throwing the means for operating the pattern chain or wheel out'of action to permit the reengagement of said means.

7. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines embracing a rotary shaft, a pattern-Wheel carried thereby, a ratchet carried by said shaft, a second ratchet loose upon the shaft, pawl mechanism for operating said ratchets simultaneously, pieces carried by the loose ratchet to temporarily hold the pawl out of engagement therewith, and devices independent of said pawl for rotating the loose ratchet.

8. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotary pattern-wheel, two ratchets, one connected so as to rotate with the pattern-wheel and the other independently rotatable, pawl mechanism for operating said ratchet-s simultaneously, pieces carried by said independentlyrotatable ratchet for temporarily holding said pawl devices out of engagement with it, de vices actuated by the movement of the knitted fabric, and power-transmitting connections between said devices actuated by the knitted fabric and the independently-rotatable ratchet.

9. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotary pattern-wheel, two ratchets, one connected so as to rotate with the pattern-wheel and the other independently rotatable, pawl mechanism for operating said ratchets simultaneously,pieces carried by said independently rotatable --ratchet fortemporarily holding said pawl devices out of engagement with it, a toothed wheel 1 arranged to be actuated by the movement of the knitted fabric, and power-transmitting connections between the toothed wheel I and the independently rotatable ratchet.

10. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotary pattern-wheel, two rotary disks, one connected so as to rotate with the pattern-wheel, and the other independently rotatable, means actuated by the knitting-machine for rotating said disks simultaneously, pieces carried by the independently-rotatable disk for temporarily holding the actuating means out of operative connection therewith, and devices independent of said actuating means for rotating the independently-rotatable disk.

11. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotary patternwheel, two rotary disks, one connected so as to rotate with the pattern-wheel, and the other independently rotatable, a gearwheel connected so as to rotate with the independently-rotatable disk, means actuated by the knittingmachine for rotating said disks simultaneously, pieces carried by the independently-rotatabledisk for temporarily holding the actuating means out of operative connection therewith, the shaft I and pinion I engaging the gear wheel connected with the independently rotatable disk, and the toothed wheel I carried by the shaft I.

12. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotary pattern-wheel, two rotary disks, one connected so as to rotate with the pattern-wheel, and the other independently rotatable, a gearwheel connected so as to rotate with the independently-rotatable disk, means actuated by the knitting-machine for rotating said disks simultaneously, pieces carried by the independently-rotatable disk for temporarily holding the actuating means out of operative connection therewith, the shaft I and pinion I engaging the gear-wheel connected with the independently-rotatable disk,the frictionblock V acting on the pinion I ,and the toothed wheel I carried by the shaft I.

13. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination with the pattern-wheel-actuating ratchet E having one or more spaces 6 provided with short teeth 6 of the loose ratchet F, a pawl for simultaneously operating both ratchets E and F, pieces carried by the ratchet F for holding the pawl out of engagement with its teeth, and means independent of the pawl for rotating the ratchet F.

14. In a pattern mechanism for an automatic knitting-machine, the combination of a rotary pattern wheel or chain operating shaft, means for actuating said shaft, movable devices for controlling the means for actuating the shaft, and movable stops adapted to be moved into position to arrest said shaft and devices for controlling the means for actuating it in a determinate position.

15. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination of a rotary pattern wheel or chain operating shaft, means for actuating said shaft, and devices for controlling the means for actuating said shaft provided with a hub F and handle Q sleeved on the shaft whereby said devices may be turned by hand into any desired position.

16. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination of a rotary pattern wheel or chain operating shaft, means for actuating said shaft, devices for controlling the means for actuating said shaft provided with a hub F and handle Q sleeved on the shaft, whereby said devices may be turned by hand into any desired position, and a movable stop to arrest said devices for controlling the means for actuating the shaft in a determinate position.

17. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination of a rotary pattern wheel or chain operating shaft, provided with a handle M, means for actuating said shaft, the disk F for controlling said means for actuating the shaft, provided with a sleeve F and handle Q to enable said disk to be turned by hand, and the lever N provided with stops at, 11 adapted to arrest the handle M and shaft and the disk F in a determinate position. l

18. In a pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination of a rotary pattern wheel or chain operating shaft, provided with a handle M, means for actuating said shaft, the disk F for controlling said means for actuating the shaft, provided with a sleeve F and handle Q to enable said disk to be turned by hand, the lever N provided with stops 'n, 11, adapted to arrest the handle M and shaft and the disk F in a determinate position, and the push-pin O for depressing the lever N.

19. In an automatic knitting-machine, the combination with means for operating a pattern wheel or chain, of devices for intermittently throwing said means out of action, mechanism controlled by the knitted fabric for operating said devices for intermittently throwing the means for operating the pattern wheel or chain out of action to permit the reengagement of said means, and a friction or yielding driving connection between the mechanism controlled by the fabric and said device for throwing the means for operating the pattern wheel or chain out of action.

20. In pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination of the devices for controlling the operation of the pattern wheel or chain, comprising the ratchet F provided with segments J, means controlled by the knitted fabric for operating the ratchet F, and a frictional or yielding driving connection between the means controlled by the fabric and the ratchet F.

21. In pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, the combination with a pattern chain or Wheel and means for operating it, ofa toothed wheel 1' adapted to be rotated by the knitted fabric, devices for in termittently throwing the means for operating the pattern wheel or chain out of action, and power-transmittingconnections between the wheel I and the devices for intermittently throwing the means for operating the pattern wheel or chain out of action embracing a f rictional driving connection, whereby said devices for throwing the pattern-chain-operating means out of action are driven from said wheel I by friction.

22. In a knitting-machine, the combination. with the pattern wheel or chain, of devices for controlling the operation thereof, driving devices operated by the fabric, and a frictional or yieldingdriving connection between the devices for controlling the operation of the pattern wheel or chain and the driving devices operated by the fabric.

23. In a knitting-machine, the combination with the pattern wheel or chain, of devices for controlling the operation thereof, driving devices operated by the fabric, a frictional or yielding driving connection between the devices for controlling the operation of the pattern wheel or chain and the driving devices operated by the fabric, and means for imposing a frictional resistance upon said driving devices operated by the fabric, to enable them to overcome their frictional driving connection with the controlling devices of the pattern wheel or chain when the'latter are operated independently.

24. In a knitting-machine, the combination of a pattern wheel or chain and devices for operating it, a rotary disk F independent of the pattern chain or wheel having means for throwing the devices for operating the pattern wheel or chain out of action and maintaining said devices out of action for a greater or less period of time, driving devices operated by the fabric, and driving connections between the driving devices operated by the fabric and the rotary disk F, whereby the movement of said disk F by the driving device operated by the fabric, independently of the operation of the pattern wheel or chain or its operating devices, will throw said operating devices for the pattern chain or wheel out of action and will retain them out of action for a greater or less period of time and will then throw said devices into action again.

25. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines embracing a rotary shaft, a pattern wheel or chain carried thereby, a ratchet carried by said shaft, a secondloose ratchet adjacent thereto, pawl mechanism for operating said ratchets, means carried by the loose ratchet for holding the pawl mechanism out of operation, embracing an adj ustable piece or section, by the adjustment of which relatively to the other portion thereof, the extent of the operative face of said means for holding the pawl mechanism out of action may be varied, and devices independent of the pawl mechanism for operating said loose ratchet.

26. A pattern mechanism for automatic knitting-machines, embracing a rotaryshaft,

a pattern wheel or chain carried thereby, a

ratchet carried by said shaft, a second loose ratchet adjacent thereto, pawl mechanism for operating said ratchets, means for holding said pawl mechanism out of action embracing a stationary portion carried by said ratchet and a segment K relatively adjustable with reference thereto to increase or decrease the operative face of said means for holding the pawl mechanism out of action, and devices independent of the pawl mechanism for operating said loose ratchet.

27. In a knitting-machine, devices for controlling the pattern mechanism, comprising a pattern wheel or chain, means for operating said pattern wheel or chain, acon trolling device movable independently of the pattern wheel or chain, means for directly operating said controlling device, means carried by said controlling device for throwing out of action both the means for operating the pattern chain or wheel and the means for directly operating the controlling device, and independent devices for operating saidcon trolling device when the means for directly operating it are thrown out of action, to re store said means and the means for driving the pattern chain or Wheel to action after a given interval of rest.

28. In a knitting-machine, devices for controlling the pattern mechanism, comprising a pattern wheel or chain, meansfor operating said pattern wheel or chain, a controlling device movable independently of the pattern wheel or chain, means for directly operating said controlling device, means carried by said controlling device for throwing out of action both the means for operating the pattern chain or Wheel and the means for directly operating the controlling device, and independent devices controlled by the, cloth for operating said controlling device when the means for directly operating it are thrown out of action, to restore said means and the means for driving the pattern chain or wheel to action after a given interval of rest.

7 29. In a knitting-machine, the combination with pattern devices, of means for controL ling the operation thereof, driving devices controlled by the cloth embracing a toothed wheel I, a frictional or yielding driving connection between the driving devices controlled by the cloth and the means for controlling the operation of the pattern devices, and a guide for guiding and maintaining the cloth in contact with the toothed wheel I.

In testimony of which invention Ihereunto set my hand.

FRANK B. WILDMAN. Witnesses:

J. W. KENWORTHY, ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER. 

